Remote battery replacement notification system and method

ABSTRACT

A remote battery replacement notification system ( 10 ) for a communication system includes a subscriber unit ( 12 ) having a battery ( 14 ). An operational support system ( 16 ) is in communication with the subscriber unit ( 12 ). The operational support system ( 16 ) periodically polls the subscriber unit ( 12 ). A compact service node ( 18 ) is in communication with the subscriber unit ( 12 ). The compact service node ( 18 ) sends a replace battery notification to the subscriber unit ( 12 ) when a replace battery message is received from the operational support system ( 16 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to communication systems and moreparticularly to a remote battery replacement notification system andmethod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the future telecommunication services that have traditionallybeen delivered by cable will be delivered by fiber optics or wirelesschannels. Fiber optics and wireless channels are not designed to carrypower as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) does presently. As a result,subscriber units at a customer's location may be locally powered withbattery back-up. The battery back-up will maintain continuous service ofthe telecommunication services during a commercial power failure. Thebatteries have a long but finite lifetime and the customer may notremember to check their batteries. Failure to replace the batteries willresult in the customer losing their telecommunication services duringpower outage.

[0003] Thus there exist a need for a battery replacement notificationsystem and method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote battery replacementnotification system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0005]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote battery replacementnotification system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0006]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a subscriber unit in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

[0007]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a remote battery replacementnotification system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0008]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the steps used in a remote batteryreplacement notification method in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention; and

[0009]FIGS. 6 & 7 are a flow chart of the steps used in a remote batteryreplacement notification method in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A remote battery replacement notification system for acommunication system includes a subscriber unit having a battery. Anoperational support system is in communication with the subscriber unit.The operational support system periodically polls the subscriber unit. Acompact service node is in communication with the subscriber unit. Thecompact service node sends a replace battery notification to thesubscriber unit when a replace battery message is received from theoperational support system.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote battery replacementnotification system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. The system 10 has a subscriber unit 12 having a battery 14.An operational support system 16 is in communication with the subscriberunit 12. The operational support system periodically polls thesubscriber unit 12. A compact service node 18 is in communication withthe subscriber unit 12. The compact service node 18 sends a replacebattery notification to the subscriber unit 12 when a replace batterymessage is received from the operational support system 16.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote battery replacementnotification system 30 in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. The system 30 has a subscriber unit 32. Commonly thesubscriber unit would be attached to the outside of a subscriber'sresidence. The subscriber unit 32 has a transceiver 34 connected to anantenna 36. A battery 38 is connected to the transceiver 34 and to aline power input 40. The battery 38 is used when there is a commercialpower outage. A wireless access node 42 has a wireless connection 44with the transceiver 34 of the subscriber unit 32. An optical networkunit 46 is connected to the wireless access node 42. The optical networkunit 46 converts a fiber optic signal to an electrical or RF signal. Aswitch 48 is connected to the optical network unit 46. The switch 48 maybe a circuit switch or a packet switch. An operational support system 50is connected to the switch 48. The operational support system 50periodically polls the subscriber unit 32. The general function of theoperational support system 50 is to monitors the integrity of the links(phone lines). A compact service node 52 is connected to the switch 48.The compact service node 52 sends a replace battery notification to thesubscriber unit 32 when a replace battery message is received from theoperation support system 50. A battery replacement service center 54 isconnected to the operational support system 50. The battery replacementservice center 54 may send out a service person to replace the batteryfor the subscriber.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a subscriber unit 70 in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. The subscriber unit 70 has atransceiver 72 connected to an antenna 74. In an alternative embodimentthe transceiver 72 is connected to a fiber optic cable 76. A telephoneplug (POTS jack) 78 is connected to a transceiver 72. A cable TV (CATV)output 80 is connected to a transceiver 72. An internet output 82 isconnected to a transceiver 72. The transceiver 72 is connected to apower supply 84. The power supply 84 conditions the line power 86. Aswitch 88 switches the transceiver 72 to battery 90 power when a poweroutage is detected. In one embodiment, the power supply acts a batterycharging circuit.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a remote battery replacementnotification system 100 in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. A residence 102 has subscriber unit 104 with a battery. Thesubscriber unit 104 is connected to a residential gateway 106. Theresidential gateway provides an in-house wireless connections to acomputer 108, a telephone 110 and a television 112. The subscriber unitis connected to a wireless network access node 114. An Optical NetworkUnit (ONU) 116 is connected to the wireless network access node 114. Afiber optic cable 118 connects the ONU 116 to a central office 120. Thecentral office 120 has a switch 122 and a central office terminal (COT)124. The COT 124 is where the telephone lines are terminated and thenconnected to the switch 122. The COT 124 may include an optical toelectrical converted that connects to the fiber optic cable 118. AnOperational Support System (OSS) 126 is connected to the switch 122. TheOSS 126 periodically polls the subscriber unit 104 for information suchas the state of the battery. A compact service node 128 is connected tothe switch 122. The compact service node 128 receives a replace batterymessage from the OSS 126. The compact service node 128 then sends areplace battery notification to the subscriber unit 104. Thenotification can be a voice notification to the telephone 110 or a emailor text message to the computer 108. The notification provides the userwith a number of options to replace the battery. One option is to send aperson out to replace the battery. In that case a message is sent to abattery replacement organization 130. Another option is for thesubscriber to purchase and replace the battery himself. In this case areminder is sent by a billing organization 132. The billing organization132 may also enclose a discount for the purchase of the battery fromselected stores. Another option is for the subscriber to talk with aservice representative at service representative organization 134.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the steps used in a remote batteryreplacement notification method in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. The process starts, step 150, by polling a subscriber unitfor a battery state by a communication system at step 152. A response isreceived that contains the battery state at step 154. When the batterystate indicates that a battery requires replacement at step 156, abattery replacement notification is sent to the subscriber unit whichends the process at step 158. In one embodiment, the communicationsystem receives a reply from the subscriber. When the reply is topurchase a new battery at a designated store, a battery discount isgenerated for inclusion in a subscriber's bill. The battery discountprovides the customer a discounted price for the battery at designatedstores. In one embodiment, the system notifies the subscriber of theaddress of the designated store. When the reply is to send a newbattery, an order is transmitted to a battery supplier. When the replyis to install a new battery, the order is transmitted to a batteryinstallation service organization. When the reply is to speak with aservice representative, a phone connection is established with a servicerepresentative.

[0016] In one embodiment, a replace battery message is sent to a compactservice node. Next it is determined when a subscriber has finisheddialing a called number. When the subscriber has finished dialing acalled number, the subscriber is provided with a plurality of batteryreplacement options. A response is received from the subscriber. Areport reminding the customer to change the battery is sent to thebilling system.

[0017] In one embodiment, the system determines a subscriber emailaddress. A replace battery message is sent to the subscriber emailaddress. In one embodiment, the replace battery message includes aplurality of hypertext link corresponding to a plurality of batteryreplacement options.

[0018]FIGS. 6 & 7 are a flow chart of the steps used in a remote batteryreplacement notification method in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. The process starts, step 170, by periodically polling asubscriber unit for a battery state by a communication system at step172. A response including a battery state is received at step 174. Whenthe battery state does not indicate that a battery requires replacing atstep 176, the process starts over. When the battery state indicates thatthe battery requires replacing, a replace battery message is sent to acompact service node at step 178. At step 180 it is determined when asubscriber has finished dialing a called number. When the subscriber hasfinished dialing the called number, the subscriber is provided with aplurality of battery replacement options at step 182. A response isreceived from the subscriber at step 184. When the response is topurchase a new battery at a designated store, a battery discount isgenerated for inclusion in a subscriber bill at step 186. In oneembodiment the battery discount is a coupon. At step 188 a report istransmitted to a billing system to remind the customer to change abattery which ends the process at step 190.

[0019] Thus there has been described a system and method for remotebattery replacement notification that automatically warns a customer toreplace a battery. A follow up reminder in the subscriber's bill shouldmake it rare that subscriber will lose their telecommunication servicesduring a power outage.

[0020] The methods described herein can be implemented ascomputer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storagemedium that when executed by a computer will perform the methodsdescribed herein.

[0021] While the invention has been described in conjunction withspecific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intendedto embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in theappended claims.

1-24. (cancelled)
 25. A remote battery replacement notification systemfor a communication system, comprising: a subscriber unit having abattery; an operational support system in communication with thesubscriber unit, the operational support system periodically polling thesubscriber unit; a compact service node in communication with thesubscriber unit and sending a replace battery notification to thesubscriber unit when a replace battery message is received from theoperational support system.
 26. The system of claim 25, furtherincluding a battery replacement service center in communication with theoperation support system.
 27. A remote battery replacement notificationmethod, comprising the steps of: (a) polling a subscriber unit for abattery state by a communication system; (b) receiving a responseincluding the battery state; and (c) when the battery state indicatesthat a battery requires replacing, transmitting a battery replacementnotification to the subscriber unit.
 28. The method of claim 27, furtherincluding the steps of: (d) receiving a reply from a subscriber; (e)when the reply is to purchase a new battery at a designated store,generating a battery discount for inclusion in a subscriber bill. 29.The method of claim 28, further including the step of: (f) notifying thesubscriber of the address of the designated store.
 30. The method ofclaim 27, wherein step (c) includes the step of: (c1) sending a replacebattery message to a compact service node; (c2) determining when asubscriber has finished dialing a called number; (c3) when thesubscriber has finished dialing the called number, providing thesubscriber with a plurality of battery replacement options.
 31. Themethod of claim 27, wherein step (c) includes the step of: (c1)determining a subscriber email address; (c1) sending a replace batterymessage to the subscriber email address.
 32. The method of claim 31,wherein step (c1) further includes the step of: i) inserting a pluralityof hypertext links corresponding to a plurality of battery replacementoptions.
 33. A remote battery replacement notification system for acommunication system, comprising: a subscriber unit having atransceiver, a battery connected to the transceiver and a line powerinput connected to the battery; a wireless network access node having awireless connection with the transceiver of the subscriber unit; anoperation support system coupled to the wireless network access node,the operational support system periodically polling the subscriber unitthrough the wireless network access node; a compact service node thecompact service node receiving from the operational support system areplace battery message and sending a replace battery notification tothe subscriber unit; and a battery replacement service center connectedto the operational support system.
 34. A remote batter replacementnotification method, comprising the steps of: a) polling a subscriberunit for a battery state from a remote location; and b) receiving aresponse including the battery state.